UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev is set to ignite the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, on March 8, 2025, in a showdown that could redefine the light heavyweight division.
Reigning champion Alex Pereira stands on the brink of dominance, potentially just one victory away from cementing his legacy at 205 pounds. But his final hurdle is a nightmare matchup—an unstoppable force in the form of Dagestan’s own wrecking machine, Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira’s lethal striking has left a trail of devastation, but Ankalaev is a different beast. A relentless powerhouse with knockout power and suffocating wrestling, he presents the ultimate challenge to the champion’s throne. Styles will collide, and the stakes couldn't be higher—will Pereira solidify his reign, or will Ankalaev usher in a new era of destruction?
On March 8, the light heavyweight division braces for war.
ALEX PEREIRA (CHAMPION ) 12 - 2 - 0 VS MAGOMED ANKALAEV 20 - 1 - 1
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
UFC 313 is set to deliver a colossal showdown as reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira faces what many believe to be his most dangerous challenger yet—Magomed Ankalaev. After a dominant 2024, Pereira now stands at the toughest crossroads of his reign, with the relentless Dagestani powerhouse looking to seize the throne.
In the main event, Pereira will put his belt on the line for the fourth time against the division’s No. 1 contender. Since capturing the light heavyweight crown in November 2023, he has torn through every challenger, most recently scoring a devastating knockout over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. But this time, he faces an opponent unlike any other.
Ankalaev enters this fight riding an incredible 13-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC, his only career loss with the promotion coming in his 2018 debut—a last-second submission against Paul Craig. Since then, he has been an unstoppable force, his latest victory being a dominant decision win over Aleksandar Rakić in October 2024.
Two elite warriors, one undisputed title, and a battle that could shake the division to its core. As fight night approaches, the anticipation only grows. Stay tuned for more on UFC 313, including betting odds, fight trends, and everything you need to know before these titans collide.
Alex Pereira (-115) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (-105)
JUSTIN GAETHJE (3) 25 - 5 - 0 VS RAFAEL FIZIEV (11) 12 - 3 - 0
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
The UFC was thrown a curveball earlier this week when the highly anticipated co-main event of UFC 313 took a major hit. Dan Hooker was forced to withdraw due to a broken hand, leaving Justin Gaethje without an opponent. But in the unpredictable world of MMA, opportunities come fast, and challengers emerge even faster. A handful of fighters stepped up to answer the call, but the UFC chose a familiar face—Rafael Fiziev, a man Gaethje already edged out in a razor-close war back in 2023. Now, a rematch is set, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Gaethje, the reigning BMF champion and No. 3-ranked lightweight, is known for his violent striking, relentless pressure, and highlight-reel knockouts. With 20 career knockouts, he’s a born finisher, but he’s also been on the receiving end, suffering three KO losses and two submissions. His last outing was an unforgettable war—a fight-of-the-year candidate at UFC 300, where Max Holloway handed him a devastating knockout loss. Now, Gaethje is back, looking to silence the doubters and get back into title contention.
Fiziev, now ranked No. 6, has been on a mission since joining the UFC in 2019. He stormed onto the scene with a string of jaw-dropping finishes, including a brutal knockout of former champion Rafael dos Anjos. His rise through the rankings was fueled by a six-fight unbeaten streak, five performance bonuses, and a reputation for electrifying striking battles.
Their first fight at UFC 286 was an instant classic, a three-round firefight in front of a roaring London crowd. Gaethje walked away with the majority decision, but Fiziev proved he belonged at the highest level. Now, with just days to prepare, Fiziev has the ultimate shot at redemption, while Gaethje looks to reaffirm his dominance.
With unfinished business between them, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2 is set to deliver fireworks. Will Gaethje impose his will once again, or will Fiziev seize his moment on short notice? UFC 313 just got even more explosive.
Justin Gaethje (-155) vs. Rafael Fiziev (+130)
JALIN TURNER (13) 14 - 8 - 0 VS IGNACIO BAHAMONDES 16 - 5 - 0
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes are set to collide in a fight that could make or break their UFC trajectories. On paper, there’s little separating them—Turner stands at 14-8, while Bahamondes holds a 16-5 record. But when it comes to momentum, they’re heading in opposite directions.
Bahamondes is riding high, coming off back-to-back stoppage wins, showcasing his crisp striking and devastating knockout power. Turner, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency, losing three of his last four. While two of those defeats were razor-thin split decisions, another setback could put his UFC future in jeopardy.
For Turner, known as “The Tarantula,” this is a must-win. His athleticism and raw power make him a dangerous threat, but he has yet to prove he can put it all together against elite competition. Bahamondes, however, brings not just power but precision, a deadly mix of technique and killer instinct that could spell trouble for Turner.
This fight, first suggested by MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter three years ago, now unfolds with everything on the line. Will Turner rise to the occasion and silence the doubters, or will “La Jaula” pick him apart and break into the lightweight rankings? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and come fight night, only one man will take the next step forward.
Jalin Turner (-110) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (+130)
AMANDA LEMOS (5) 14 - 4 - 1 VS IASMIN LUCINDO (7) 17 - 5 - 0
WOMEN´S STRAWWEIGHT BOUT
Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo are set to throw down in a fight that could shift the landscape of the women’s strawweight division. For Lemos (14-4), this is a chance to claw her way back into the title picture after falling short in her championship bout against Zhang Weili in August 2023. For Lucindo (17-5), this is an opportunity to announce herself as a true contender, riding a four-fight win streak and knocking on the door of the division’s elite.
Lucindo has youth, energy, and momentum on her side. At just 23 years old, she fights with relentless aggression, seamlessly blending striking and grappling to break opponents down. She has already taken out big names like Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Marina Rodriguez, proving she belongs at the highest level. And against Lemos, she’ll look to dictate the fight by forcing it to the mat, where her pressure and control could be the key to victory.
Lemos, however, won’t go down without a fight. The 37-year-old veteran is a powerhouse on the feet, boasting knockout power that can end the fight in an instant. She’ll look to keep this one standing, using her experience and technical striking to punish Lucindo at range. But with the age gap, the question looms—does she still have the gas tank to keep up with the relentless pace Lucindo will bring?
The stakes are massive. A win for Lemos keeps her in the title conversation, proving she still has what it takes to compete with the best. A victory for Lucindo, however, could be her breakout moment, a statement that she is the future of the strawweight division. The UFC would love to see fresh blood rise through the ranks, and if Lucindo gets the job done, she may find herself one step away from a title shot.
Amanda Lemos (+102) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-122)
**KING GREEN 32 - 16 - 1 VS MAURICIO RUFFY 11 - 1 - 0 **
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
A clash of generations is set to unfold at UFC 313 as rising Brazilian phenom Mauricio Ruffy steps into the Octagon against the battle-hardened veteran, King Green. It’s the classic tale of youth vs. experience, a young lion looking to make his mark against a grizzled warrior who has seen it all.
Ruffy (11-1) is an explosive striker with devastating knockout power, having finished 10 of his 11 victories before the final bell. The Brazilian prospect has been flawless in his UFC run so far, most recently dispatching James Llontop via unanimous decision at UFC 309. Now, he faces the toughest test of his career—a fighter who has stood across the cage from some of the best in the sport.
Green (32-16-1, 1NC) is no stranger to high-stakes fights. With a resume that includes victories over legends like Jim Miller and Tony Ferguson, he has built a reputation as a fearless, scrappy veteran. However, his last outing at UFC 304 ended in disappointment, as he was submitted by Paddy Pimblett in the opening round. With his back against the wall, Green enters this fight with something to prove—he’s not ready to be a stepping stone just yet.
Stylistically, this is a fascinating battle. Ruffy brings youth, speed, and knockout power, while Green offers experience, durability, and an unpredictable striking game. The question is, can the veteran weather the storm and turn this into a dogfight, or will Ruffy’s power and precision be too much?
For Ruffy, a win here could launch him into the lightweight rankings and solidify him as a true contender. For Green, this is about proving he’s still got what it takes to hang with the new generation. With both men having everything to fight for, expect fireworks when they step into the cage.
Will the veteran turn back the clock, or will the young gun claim his biggest scalp yet? UFC 313 is about to deliver another unforgettable showdown.
Alex Pereira had a spectacular 2024, competing three times and knocking out some of the biggest names in the division—Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree. His dominance inside the Octagon earned him a nomination for "Fighter of the Year," solidifying his status as one of the most feared strikers in the sport. But as he steps into his first fight of 2025, he faces a challenge that many believe could finally bring his reign to an end. Magomed Ankalaev is a relentless force, a fighter with the power and precision to dismantle anyone in front of him. Coming off a hard-fought decision victory over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, Ankalaev is primed and ready to seize his long-awaited title shot.
The night’s co-main event was originally set to feature a fan-favorite showdown between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. However, a devastating hand injury forced Hooker to withdraw, leaving the UFC scrambling for a worthy replacement. Enter Rafael Fiziev—a dangerous striker who, after nearly two years sidelined by a knee injury, is returning with one mission: revenge. Gaethje and Fiziev last met at UFC 286 in an unforgettable war, where Gaethje edged out a decision victory after three explosive rounds. Now, Fiziev has the chance to rewrite history, while Gaethje looks to prove, once again, why he’s one of the most violent fighters in the lightweight division.
With high stakes, bad blood, and two electrifying matchups at the top of the card, UFC 313 is shaping up to be an event for the ages. Will Pereira continue his knockout streak, or will Ankalaev finally dethrone the king? Can Fiziev avenge his loss, or will Gaethje break him once again?
The answers come fight night, and the only guarantee is war inside the Octagon.
